Multiple discharge starting device



Nov. 23, 1965 R. N. BURCKHALTER 3,219,235

MULTIPLE DISCHARGE STARTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. Raerz A! Barr/ affe)" A T7 )RNE YS Nov. 23, 1965 R. N. BURCKHALTER 3,219,235

MULTIPLE DISCHARGE STARTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Aa/grz ll/BWt/fa/ZE? 1965 R. N. BURCKHALTEIR 3,219,235

MULTIPLE DISCHARGE STARTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. Kaierf A. Burr/6K4 fie)" A TTORNE YS Nov. 23, 1965 R. N. BURCKHALTER 3,219,235

MULTIPLE DISCHARGE STARTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 If Z1 2 7 IN V EN TOR- Zaerz A, flarri/af/er A TT( )RNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,219,235 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 3,219,235 MULTIPLE DISCHARGE STARTING DEVICE Robert N. Burekhalter, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Commercial Filters Corporation, Melrose, Mass, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 216,114 7 Claims. (Ci. 222) This invention relates to improvements in a multiple discharge starting device, and more particularly to a starting device for internal combustion engines, the device being capable of discharging or ejecting successive predetermined quantities of priming fluid into the engine to aid in starting the same, particularly in cold weather, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past devices for ejecting a predetermined amount of priming fluid into internal combustion engines for starting purposes have been developed, but in each instance of which I am aware, such devices were not capable of providing substantially immediate repetitious discharges, but had to be reloaded after a single discharge. Such reloading required time and in many cases resulted in engine stoppage because a subsequent discharge of fluid could not be provided in time to maintain the engine in operation. The number of actual discharges necessary to both start an engine and insure running immediately after starting depends mainly upon the temperature, the lower the temperature the more discharges required. Also, formerly known primer discharging devices were objecionable due to the difliculty and time necessary for reloading, as well as the difliculty in releasing or discharging the priming fluid since one hand manipulation of the device is virtually essential. Devices of this character heretofore known were also not durable as may be desired, and occupied an objectionable amount of space, consistent with only one shot operation.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a starting device capable of rapidly and repetitiously ejecting more than an ample number of charges of priming fluid to insure engine starting, Without reloading the device.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a starting device utilizing a number of metallic pressure cartridges sealed with a substance that may be punctured with a hollow needle permitting the cartridge contents to be expelled, means being provided to positively index the cartridges one after the other in a rapid manner for individual firing.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of an engine starting device embodying a plurality of metal pressure cartridges, each containing a predetermined amount of primer fluid, the device embodying means to prevent wobble of the cartridges coupled with positive indexing means to insure proper positioning of each cartridge at the discharging station.

Also a desideratum of this invention is the provision of a primer starting device for internal combustion engines utilizing metallic pressure cartridges of primer fluid, the device embodying indexing means so arranged to prevent skipping of a loaded cartridge or bulb as successive discharges are effected.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a primer starting device utilizing metallic pressure cartridges of primer fluid, the device incorporating an indexing arrangement preventing the operator from inadvertently returning a spent cartridge or bulb to discharge position before each successive cartridge has been discharged.

Also an object of the invention is the provision of a primer starting device embodying a plurality of cartridges of primer fluid for successive discharges, the device being highly durable, having a few parts that might possibly become out of order, and which device is simple to remove spent cartridges and reloaded with new cartridges.

Still a further object of the instant invention is the provision of a multiple discharge starting device utilizing metallic pressure cartridges for successive discharges, the device containing adequate drainage means for any possible residue from a discharged cartridge.

Also a feature of the invention is the provision of a multiple discharge starting device embodying pressure cartridges for successive discharges and which is so constructed as to prevent the entrance of water, dirt, and the like into the casing, whereby ice cannot be formed inside the casing to interfere with operation of the mechanism.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a device embodying principles of the instant invention operatively associated with an internal combustion engme;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device itself, with a portion broken away showing an interior structure in section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device with the outer shell or casing removed;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the device itself with parts shown in section;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan sectional view of the cover only taken substantially as indicated by the line VV of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the staggered section line VIVI of FIGURE 4, with the device disposed in upright position;

FIGURE 7 is a plan sectional view illustrating the inside of the base of the device, and taken substantially as indicated by the line VIIVII of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan sectional view taken at the same location as the section line VII-VII of FIG- URE 3, but looking in the opposite direction.

As shown on the drawings:

The instant invention is installed at a location readily accessible to the operator of an internal combustion englue, and if that engine is associated with a vehicle, the instrument panels is perhaps the best location for the starting device. The device may be associated with substantially any form of internal combustion engine, but if the engine is of the reciprocatory piston type, it is preferable not to discharge the priming fluid directly into the cylinders, because an oversupply of priming fluid in an individual cylinder might result in abnormal pressure and possible engine damage.

In FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, generally indicated by numeral 1, is shown mounted upon an instrument panel 2 for a diesel engine 3. A discharge tube 4 leading from the device terminates in a nozzle diagrammatically shown at 5, and for the diesel engine this nozzle is preferably connected in the air intake horn 6 close to the air cleaner, in the air cleaner, or in the blower housing, which locations provide more effective distribution of the priming liquid and permit starts at the lowest possible temperatures. In the case of the gasoline engine, the nozzle is preferably connected in the air horn just below the air cleaner, or in the air cleaner, but ahead of the carburetor. If the design of an engine is such that a nozzle must be located in the intake manifold, it should discharge lengthwise of the manifold to provide the best distribution. With supercharged engines, the nozzle should be installed so as to discharge into the air stream ahead of the supercharger.

The illustrated embodiment of the instant invention embodies a base 7, which may satisfactorily be an aluminum die casting, and which, as seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, has a cavity or drainage well 8 therein to receive any drippings from a spent cartridge. An outlet opening 9 leads through the base from the drainage well.

This base is also provided with a recess 10 therein which has an opening in the bottom thereof to permit an index pin 11 to extend through the base. Within the recess, the index pin has an enlarged portion 12 thereon abutted on its underside by one end of a coil spring in the recess 10 around the pin 11, this spring constantly urging the pin upwardly, which upward movement of the pin is limited by a detent 14 carried by the index pin which abuts the bottom of the base.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the base is also provided with an opening 15 therethrough which is threaded at its lower end to receive the hollow nut casing 16 of a firing pin assembly. Inside the element 16 is a hollow discharge pin 17 having a filter screen 18 on the lower end thereof. Around the upper portion of the discharge pin above the enlarged lower part is a resilient block 19 held in place by an inwardly turned annular lip 20 at the upper end of the casing 16. This resilient block 19 is compressed by the nose of a cartridge at the time of discharge to expose the upper end of the pin and permit it to penetrate the cartridge seal. A drain trough 21 leads from the upper end of the resilient block 19 to the drainage well 8 of the base. At the lower end thereof the casing member 16 is internally threaded as indicated at 22 to accommodate a connector 23, FIGURES 2 and 3, to join the discharge tube 4 to the casing 16.

With reference to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that a pair of mounting brackets 24 and 25 may be bolted or equivalently secured to the underside of the base 7 by means of which the entire device may be mounted wherever desired.

Also bolted or equivalently secured to the bottom of the base 7 is a pair of spaced confronting angle brackets 26-26 forming between confronting flanges a guideway for an actuating lever 27 which has one end portion projecting laterally outwardly beyond the base to be grasped by the hands of an operator to discharge cartridges in a manner to be later described. At the inner end thereof, the lever is bifurcated as indicated at 28 to embrace a flattened end portion of the index pin 11, to which the lever is pivoted by a pin 29. The intermediate portion of this lever is pivoted by way of suitable pivot pins and a pair of opposed links 30-30 to a flattened lower end portion of a vertically reciprocable center rod 31. This rod 31 extends through a suitable opening in the base 7 and upwardly inside a hollow boss 32 upstanding within the aforesaid drainage well 8. The rod 31 is urged upwardly by a coil spring 33 seated within the boss 32 and having its upper end in contact with a collar or E-ring 34 on the rod. Upward movement of this rod is lim- 4 ited by a crosspin 35, FIGURE 6, extending through the rod and contacting the underside of the base 7.

Spaced above the base 7 is a rotary cartridge carrier or retainer, generally indicated by numeral 36. This retainer, in the illustrated instance, is designed to carry a total of six cartridges, each of which provides one shot of priming fluid. It will be understood, however, that the device may be constructed to hold more or less than six cartridges depending upon conditions and also upon the size of the engine with which the device is to be associated. A device handling six cartridges is suitable for most instances, but is shown herein by way of example only, and not by way of limitation.

The cartridge retainer 36, seen best in FIGURE 6, is preferably an integral die casting and comprises a lower table 37, an upper table 38 spaced above the table 37, and a central hollow boss 39 joining both tables. Through this boss 39 the aforesaid center rod 31 projects, and the lower table 37 is recessed on the underside thereof as at 40 so that the entire retainer may seat upon the collar 34 on the center rod 31 a clearly seen in FIGURE 6. The upper table 38 is provided with a series of apertures 41, there being one for each cartridge, and the circumferential edge of this table is provided with a series of notches 42, also one for each cartridge, each notch being disposed adjacent a cartridge receiving aperture for indexing purposes, the notches being best seen in FIGURE 3. The lower table 37 is provided with a similar series of smaller apertures 43 to receive the nose of the cartridges, the apertures 43 being in direct alignment with the apertures 41 in the upper table. This lower plate 37 is also provided with an annular series of apertures 44, corresponding in number to the number of cartridges, and these apertures as seen best in FIGURE 8 are disposed substantially between the cartridge apertures 43 in an outer circle. Each aperture 44 is of a size to receive therein the aforesaid indexing pin 11 in the manner seen in the right-hand portion of FIGURE 6. Again, referring to FIGURE 8 it will be seen that this lower plate on the underside thereof is provided with an elongated arcuate recess 45 for each of the pin receiving apertures 44, the pin receiving aperture being located at one end of a recess 45. During indexing of the retainer 36, the pin is withdrawn from one aperture and the retainer turned in a manner to be later described until the pin enters the closed end of the next adjacent recess, and the pin will ride the top of that recess until it reaches and enters the aperture 44 at the opposite end of the recess.

Cylindrical pressure cartridges 46 are seated in the retainer 36. Each cartridge 46 is cylindrical, provided with an outstanding bead 47 and a tapering nose portion 48 which carries the cartridge seal therein. The cartridge is disposed nose down as seen best in FIGURE 6, with the bead 47 in close proximity to the upper table 38, a large portion of the cartridge extending through an aperture 41 in the table 38 and the nose of the cartridge extending through the smaller aperture 43 in the lower table 37. The apertures in the two tables compositely form a socket for the cartridge, whereby the cartridge is steadied against wobbling during use, and the composite socket compensates for inadvertent manufacturing variances in the cartridges themselves. Each cartridge is merely dropped freely in its composite socket in the retainer.

Over the structure so far described, a shell or casing 49 is removably positioned, this casing or shell also preferably being a die casting and a skirted closure cap 51 is disposed over the upper end of the shell 49 and retained in position by bolts 51 or in any other suitable manner. As seen best in FIGURE 6, the shell has a relatively thick top portion 52 centrally apertured to receive the aforesaid center rod 31 therethrough. This transverse portion 52 is provided with an annular series of recesses 53, one to receive the upper portion of each cartridge as seen best in FIGURE 6.

The shell is maintained connected to the other structure by means of a U-shaped latch 54 slidable upon the upper surface of the aforesaid top portion 52. The latch is retained in position by a bolt 55, there being a suitable slot 56 in the latch to permit slidable movement thereof relatively to the bolt. The latch is also provided with another elongated slot 57 disposed around a reduced portion 58 of the center rod 31 beneath a shoulder 59 on that rod. The latch is constantly urged into locking engagement With the shoulder 59 by means of a coil spring 60, and when it is desired to release the cover it is simply necessary to press upon the protruding portion of a resilient plug 61 mounted in the wall of the cap 50 with its inner end bearing against the latch. In this manner the latch may be forced inwardly against the action of the spring 60 until the engagement with the shoulder 59 is released, and the slot 57 will clear the upper end of the center rod 31 permitting the cover to be removed.

The shell or cover 49 is provided interiorly thereof with an indexing key 62 as seen best in FIGURES 2 and 5, this key being retained on the inside cover Wall by means of bolt 63 or in an equivalent manner. It will be noted from the showing in FIGURE 2 that when the cover is properly positioned, the key 62 will have entered one of the notches 42 in the upper table 38 of the cartridge retainer 36. Thus, any rotary movement of the cover 49 will cause an equivalent movement of the cartridge retainer. In placing the cover in position it is a simple expedient to lower it over the other structure, oscillate it slightly if necessary until the key engages one of the notches in the upper table of the retainer, and then press it down until latching engagement is established with the shoulder 59 on the center rod 31. It makes no difference which of the notches in the upper table of the retainer is engaged by the indexing key 62, the plurailty of notches being provided to facilitate rapid replacement of the cover after removal.

For indexing purposes, the cover 49, adjacent the lower end thereof, is provided with a circumscribing band 64 having a series of projections 65 thereon, there being one projection for each cartridge held by the device, and the projections are, of course, evenly spaced. It is a simple expedient for the operator after a cartridge has been discharged to elevate the free end of the actuating lever 27 with a finger or thumb and with another finger of the same hand engage one of the projections 65 and rotate the casing clockwise to bring another loaded cartridge into position over the discharge pin.

In order to insure accurate and positive indexing of the cartridges, prevent any reverse movement of the casing so the operator cannot return to a discharged cartridge, prevent skipping a loaded cartridge, and to accomplish this automatically, the lower end of the shell 49 is provided with a series of notches 66 therein, one for each cartridge. Between adjacent notches there is a downwardly curvate cam surface 67, as seen best in FIGURES 2 and 6. The actuating lever 27 is provided with a block 68 on its upper edge to ride a cam surface 67 and thus cause the actuating lever to be pressed downwardly by the cam surface after it has been elevated to withdraw the index pin 11 from an aperture 44 to release the cartridge container and permit rotation thereof along with the shell 49. By forcing the actuating lever downwardly by way of a cam surface, with the index pin riding along a groove 45 in the lower table of the retainer, the index pin is free to snap into the aperture 44 at the end of that groove and stop further motion, insuring accurate and positive indexing. Reverse rotation cannot be had, because the actuating lever must be elevated to withdraw the index pin, and when so elevated it will be immediately adjacent the vertical edge 69 partially defining one of the notches 66.

The cartridges utilized with the instant invention may satisfactorily be filled with a composition comprising commercial ethyl ether, 90% by volume, and a light valve 6 oil, 10% by volume, or any of the other of the compositions expressed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,431,322 or No. 2,708,922.

In operation, the instant invention is extremely simple, rapid, and effective. Assuming the device to have a full supply of cartridges therein, in order to discharge the first cartridge, it is a simple expedient for the operator to press down firmly upon the actuating lever 27. This draws down the center rod 31 and forces down the cover 49 by virtue of the latching engagement at the top of the center rod. The cover firmly presses down on the cartridges and drives the cartridge in discharge position downwardly to compress the resilient block 19 and puncture the end of the cartridge with the discharge pin. The actuating lever may then be elevated to withdraw the index pin 11, and with the same hand the operator may engage one of the projections 65 and rotate the casing and cartridge retainer. During this rotation the lever will be forced downwardly by the adjacent cam surface 67 on the lower end of the shell so that the index pin will snap into the next oncoming aperture 44 in the lower table of the cartridge retainer, insuring positive and correct positioning of the next cartridge. The lever 27 may then be firmly pressed down to discharge the second cartridge. In this manner, cartridges may be successively discharged at intervals of a very few seconds.

When all of the cartridges have been expended, or at any other time desired, the device may be reloaded. This is simply accomplished by merely pressing the thumb plug 61 to release the latch engagement, and lift off the cover 49. The cartridges may then be individually removed and replaced in the cartridge retainer, or the entire retainer may be lifted off the center rod 31, dumped, refilled and placed back upon the center rod, With a slight oscillation if necessary so that the index pin 11 enters one of the apertures 44 in the retainer. The cover is then dropped in position, oscillated slightly if necessary to insure the index key 62 engaging a notch 42 in the retainer and pressed down until latching engagement is established at the top of the center rod. The device is then ready for further operation. Reloading may be accomplished in an extremely short interval of time.

Should any drippings result from a discharged cartridge, these drippings will fall upon the resilient plug 19 in the discharge assembly, and by way of the drain groove 21 pass into the well 8 in the base 7 and exit through the opening 9 in the bottom of the base. A tube may be connected to the base in any desired manner to conduct the drippings to a remote of a desirable point, if such is deemed necessary.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a simple, economical, durable and space saving priming device capable of discharging successive shots of priming fluid with great rapidity.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a multiple discharge starting device,

a base,

an index pin extending through said base,

a center rod extending through said base,

a discharge pin assembly in said base,

a rotary cartridge retainer around said center rod spaced to one side of said base and having sockets therein for a plurality of pressure fluid cartridges,

said retainer having spaced apertures therein to successively receive said index pin, the apertures being so spaced that one of said sockets is aligned with the discharge pin assembly when said index pin is in an aperture,

an actuating lever pivoted at one end to an end of said index pin and pivoted intermediately to an end of said center rod on the opposite side of said base from said retainer with the free end of said lever functioning as an actuating handle,

" resilient means normally maintaining said retainer spaced from said base and said index pin in one of the retainer apertures, a cover slidable over said retainer and said base and a series of apertures therein spaced in accord With the having recesses therein to receive the non-firing ends aligned with said discharging means, of cartridges in said retainer sockets, an outer shell over said retainer and base, latch means between said cover and the other end of interlocking means between said shell and retainer to said center rod, insure joint rotation, an indeX k y 0H Said Cover to ge in one of the an actuating lever on the opposite side of said base from notches in said retainer, 10 said retainer pivoted at one end to said index pin and finger engageable means rotate said v r and a intermediately to means carried by said base with the retainer when said iIlClGX pin iS withdrawn from a free end of the lever functioning as a handle, reteliher aperture y movement of the handle end said lever upon a movement of the handle end thereof of Sa level toward S base, and toward said base withdrawing said index pin from the Said ihdeX P pp rotary movement 0f Said cover retainer aperture to permit rotation of said shell and and retainer when a succeeding cartridge is aligned t i d with said discharge pin assembly, said shell having an annular series of notches in adjawhereby the cartridges may be successively discharged t d d fi d b a t i ht 11 t b id each y a movement of the handle end of Said level y lever and prevent reverse rotation of said shell and from said base. retainer, and by an arcuate cam surface to force the 2- I a m l p discharge Starting device, handle end of said lever away from said base during a base, rotation to insure engagement of said index pin in Cartridge discharging means in said base, the next following retainer aperture. a rotary retainer for a plurality of pressure fluid car- 5 I a lti l di h ti d i tridges spaced from one side of said base and having 5 a base, a Series Of apertures therein Spaced in accord With cartridge discharging means at one location on said the positioning of said cartridges, base, an index P extending through said base to successively a movable retainer carrying a plurality of pressure fluid enter said apertures and successively hold a cartridge cartridges, aligned with said discharging means, a shell over said retainer and base and interlocked with an outer shell over said retainer and base, said retainer to insure joint movement, interlocking means between said shell and retainer to h ldi means l ki l engageable ith as many insure joint rotation, spaced points on said retainer as there are cartridges, all actuating lever on the pp Side Of Said base said points being spaced in accord with the positionfrom Said retainer pivoted at one end to Said index ing of cartridges in said retainer to insure the disposi- P and ihtel'mediately t0 means carried y Said base tion of a cartridge adjacent said discharging means at With the free end Of the 16VCI' functioning as a each engagement of said holding means, handle, and manual means movable in one direction from a neutral a series of formations on said shell acting against said itio to discharge the cartridge adjacent th di lever to prevent reverse rotation of said shell and 40 h i means d i h opposite di i f o retainer and to force the han e e of Said level the neutral position to release said holding means, away from said shell during each forward rotation d to Cause Said P to engage in the next Succeeding cam means carried by said shell to force said manual tainer aperture. means toward neutral position during movement of 3. In a multiple discharge starting device, 5 said shell and said retainer to insure engagement by a base, said holding means at the next oncoming point of cartridge discharging means in aid as the retainer to place the next cartridge adjacent said a rotary retainer for a plurality of pressure fluid cardischarging means,

tridges spaced from one side of said base and having 6. In a multiple discharge starting device, a series of apertures therein spaced in accord with a base, the positioning of said cartridges, cartridge discharging means at one location on said an index pin extending through said base to successively b enter said apertures and successively hold a cartridge a rotary retainer for a plurality of pressure fluid caraligned with said discharging m ans, tridges adjacent said base and having series of spaced an outer shell over said retainer and base, openings therein equal in number to the cartridge interlocking means between said shell and retainer to capacity of said retainer,

insure joint rotation, an index pin engageable in one of said openings at a an actuating lever on the opposite side of said base from time,

said retainer pivoted at one end to said index pin and i Openings being Spaced in accord With the Positionintermediately to means carried by said base with the s of the Cartridges in the retainer to insure a fr end f the lever f ti i as a handle, tndge being located adjacent said discharging means said lever upon a movement of the handle end thereof w s'ald P eniers one of Said Openings,

toward said base Withdrawing Said index Pin from said retainer hav ng a series of arcuate recesses in one the retainer aperture to permit rotation of said shell face thereof with one of said p i t one end of and retainer and 5 each recess and the recess terminating ad acent to but d from the next 0 enin cam means on said shell to force the handle end of said space P lever away from said base during each rotary movemeans t9 Wlthdmw -Sa1d m-dex pm f.rom h openmg 1t ment of said shell and retainer to insure the pin occup to pe-mnt-rot-atlon of sald and means urging said pln into the next following recess ehgagmg nfiXt follovlfmg retamer aperture" and against the bottom thereof during rotation of the In a multlple dlscharge retainer to snap into the next opening and stop rotaa e: tion of the retainer. ari l g discharging means 111 Sa1d base, 7. In a multiple discharge starting device, a rotary retainer for a plurality of pressure fluid cara b tridges spaced from one side of said base and having cartridge discharging means in said base,

a rotary retainer adjacent said base for pressure fluid cartridges each having a blunt end and a nose at the other end,

said retainer comprising a pair of spaced plates having apertures therein to receive each cartridge With the nose thereof projecting through the apertures toward said base,

a cover shell slidable over said retainer and having sockets therein to receive the blunt ends of the cartridges,

a rod extending through said base and retainer,

releasable latching means connecting said rod and cover shell, and

manually operable means to move said rod and force said cover toward said base to discharge a cartridge adjacent said discharging means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

7. IN A MULTIPLE DISCHARGE STARTING DEVICE, A BASE, CARTRIDGE DISCHARGING MEANS IN SAID BASE, A ROTARY RETAINER ADJACENT SAID BASE FOR PRESSURE FLUID CARTRIDGE EACH HAVING A BLUNT END AND A NOSE AT THE OTHER END, SAID RETAINER COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED PLATES HAVING APERTURES THEREIN TO RECEIVE EACH CARTRIDGE WITH THE NOSE THEREOF PROJECTING THROUGH THE APERTURES TOWARD SAID BASE, A COVER SHELL SLIDABLE OVER SAID RETAINER AND HAVING SOCKETS THEREIN TO RECEIVE THE BLUNT ENDS OF THE CARTRIDGES, A ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BASE AND RETAINER, RELEASABLE LATCHING MEANS CONNECTING SAID ROD AND COVER SHELL, AND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS TO MOVE SAID ROD AND FORCE SAID COVER TOWARD SAID BASE TO DISCHARGE A CARTRIDGE ADJACENT SAID DISCHARGE MEANS. 